Ozer (Bar, Restaurant)

Middle East meets West in this effortlessly cool, yet warm and welcoming bar and restaurant. Ozer oozes charm and sophistication while still being cosy, relaxed and unpretentious. Rich red walls, and ruby velvet and leather provide us with the opulence of an Eastern feel, contrasted against white columns, plain marble tiles and clean lines which make for a simple, modern and uncluttered finish. Unlike most middle-eastern places, which are usually crammed with Persian carpets and brass ornaments, here the theme is achieved more subtly using curvaceous lines and shapes. The ceiling has mosque –like indentations while curves in the walls create separate booths; the round tables, pouffes and leather sofas carved into the wall, ensure a more convivial atmosphere.

Ozer is part of the Sofra chain, which boasts six sister bar/restaurants in London (Mayfair, Covent Garden, Christopher’s Place, Exmouth and two in Islington) as well as branches in Istanbul, Ankara, Dubai and Finland. A family- run business, if the owners are all as warm and generous as Huseyin Ozer in Regent Street, then the Sofa group must be thriving. We were treated to a complimentary bottle of Turkish champagne, but with drinks at half price all night, one can enjoy a decent bottle of wine for £8 and a bottle of beer (no pints) for £2, so while you may be feeling decadent, you are not breaking your bank balance. Added to this is the extra pleasure of bowls of hazelnuts on the tables and smart attentive waiters working the room with trays full of warm bread and humus, falafel (broad bean, chick pea and vegetable fritters) and C¨op Chicken (shish grilled cubes) – all absolutely free and part of the slick service.

If you are not too satiated, and are in the mood for something a bit quieter, the restaurant to the rear of the bar offers a 2 course meal for £5:50 before 6pm and £7:50 until midnight. It also has daily specials and mixed meze platters which are beautifully presented on square glass plates: with delicacies like the hellimi cheese and iman bayildi (stewed aubergine, tomato and peppers), you’ll battle to find room for the mains, let alone dessert, though I have to say that you won’t find better Turkish delight anywhere (and I usually can’t stand the stuff.)

The loo’s also deserve a special mention for they are spacious, ultra clean, well kitted out, and even when the bar and restaurant are heaving, you are still sure to get a seat!

A friendly, vibey crowd, which although is predominantly made up of 20-35 year olds, is fairly mixed and equally suitable for an after-work drink as it is for a romantic twosome or a more social sixome. Be sure to get there early as it does get packed – especially Thursdays to Sundays - and with the buzz of the patrons providing the background music, be prepared to strain your voice over the excitable din. Highly recommended… see you there next Friday....read more